The bus systems of the Triangle are getting a new look, designed to demonstrate the increased level of integration between the different agencies, (such as the GoLIVE real-time bus location system) the new branding has been in the works for nearly two years, and will be phased in gradually, to reduce the capital costs.

The GoTriangle Partnership (which consists of Triangle Transit as well as the region's municipal transit agencies) will be rebranded as GO Transit, the name is designed to give the impression of a single regional agency, and to reduce confusion for riders. Though the agencies will maintain their current levels of autonomy, the individual agencies will be rebranded in a similar uniform fashion.

Raleigh will likely be the first to roll out the new designs in a significant number, because the Raleigh Transit Authority opted not to paint their newest shipment of buses, in anticipation of the new design. In Raleigh, the new branding will also be accompanied by a new RFID smartcard system, and new fareboxes to accommodate them, which were paid for by a grant. The region's other transit agencies are likely to follow suit in implementing smartcards, and the systems are expected to be unified or at least compatible.

Charlotte to Raleigh is wholly NC DOT, so I've no knowledge of that leg. (I'm in Ga.) From what I understand NC and VA will seek federal aid for the Raleigh to Richmond connection once Richmond to DC has completed upgrades and been running for about a year or two. Depending on the performance of the Richmond/DC leg they'll seek either full funding for construction or a lesser amount to supplement a longer, state-funded program.

At the present, new tracks are being laid out of charlotte for dual tracks. NCRR is working to have dual tracks from Charlotte to Raleigh.

^ Above is the Miami Metrorail / MetroMover station on the lower left which will connect with the Brightline Central Station U/C right above it , the building with the 3 "White bubbles" is the NAP Center of the Americas & the empty lots is part of the 29 acre "Miami World Center" that has just started construction.

"The new rail station is being integrated with the Miami-Dade County Metrorail and Metromover systems, and is being considered a major transit hub for the city with connections to buses, trolleys, taxis and more.

Brightline restructures for further expansion; Tampa will be next
By Bob Johnston | March 8, 2017
RELATED TOPICS: SOUTH | FLORIDA EAST COAST | INFRASTRUCTURE | PASSENGER
\Brightline's Blue trainset in Florida.

MIAMI — Executives responsible for Florida's Brightline passenger rail project say they're open to taking passenger services to other U.S. markets that could "benefit from the type of service" Brightline offers. Tampa, Fla., is a definite.

The news comes as Florida East Coast Industries executives announced that they've hired a former Madison Square Garden and New York Mets executive, Dave Howard, as Brightline CEO. His job is to get the FEC subsidiary ready to start Miami-West Palm Beach passenger operations this summer. Current Brightline President Mike Reininger moves to a new position as Executive Director at FECI to concentrate on constructing the line to Orlando International Airport.

In a Trains News Wire interview with both men, Reininger made it clear that the reason for the reorganization now is that the parent company intends to expand and replicate Brightline’s passenger rail blueprint to other markets, starting with the next segment from Orlando’s airport to Tampa, Fla., while “Dave can keep his hand on the wheel of the operating company.”

“Tampa is Florida’s next largest population center. For years we’ve had an expression of interest from leaders in that marketplace who are more than a little interested in a connection into our service,” Reininger says, “So we will be able to research and apply ourselves to that opportunity for sure. And [Florida East Coast Railway] already controls the right-of-way into Jacksonville, so we will start to explore whether that is a feasible and reasonable alternative.”

Executives responsible for Florida's Brightline passenger rail project say they're open to taking passenger services to other U.S. markets that could "benefit from the type of service" Brightline offers.

There are rumors that Georgia maybe the next expansion market outside of Florida for BrightLine which seems like a natural fit.

Georgia is still working on the HSR vision between Atlanta and Charlotte, but that's still just a concept and won't go anywhere without federal support. The ambition is to have something that's possible by the time the Raleigh-to-DC connection is upgraded.

__________________"How can anybody be enlightened? Truth is after all so poorly lit."